If you’re like most users of mind mapping software, chances are you’re primarily using them to meet short-term needs – to brainstorm ideas or outline the agenda for a meeting, for example. But in doing so, you may be missing an opportunity to get even more value out of their favorite productivity software.

The key is to re-think your mind maps as tools for managing your projects throughout their life cycle. Not only is mind mapping software a powerful tool for defining the scope of your project, but also for tracking progress, managing tasks and milestones, and capturing key learnings at the end of the project.

Often, connections between related pieces of information in our maps aren’t immediately evident at the time you record them. It’s often only after days or weeks of perspective that you may get hit by the legendary “a-ha!” and see where something fits.

Long-lifetime maps, therefore, are works in progress, which you continue to refine as your project evolves.